The night had lessened the temperature but done nothing for the moist air. Sunlight snaked through the cracks, lighting the hut. Jessica bolted upright as music started outside the door. Quickly remembering where she was, or more importantly who was beside her she hoisted a blanket up and wrapped it over herself just as Lorne's eyes flickered open.
"Morning," He smiled at her as if waking up next to her was the most normal thing ever.
Disgusted in his morning happiness she grunted in reply.
Laughing he commented, "You never were a morning person." Before climbing out of bed, the blanket carefully wrapped around his waist again.
The door flew open sending bright light streaming into the hut. Apparently it was time to go. The music grew louder as they exited the door. Blinking in the sudden light they felt the villagers throwing flowers at them. Her face turning bright red, Jessica pulled the blanket tighter around her. Reed, Parrish and Coughlin stood to the side, their laughter barely contained.
"A month, they get babysitting duty for a month." Lorne murmured next to her, his face matching hers.
After what seemed like an eternity of villagers singing and dancing they managed to excuse themselves with promises to return for more talk of trade. Coughlin handed Lorne back his tac vest and explained their clothes had been, disposed of, as part of the joining ceremony. He couldn't keep the amused grin off his face. Lorne's face darkened a little at how much enjoyment Coughlin, Parrish and Reed were getting out of the situation. They hadn't said anything about a joining ceremony on the radio previously.
Stepping through the gate back to Atlantis Jessica wondered if she could sink into the floor as the gate room stared at them.
Sheppard walked down the stairs, eyes giving them a once over, a small smirk on his face, "Mission not go well Major? You look like someone just told you your favourite dog died."
Lorne resisted the urge to send a one fingered salute towards his CO as Coughlin replied, "He just got married, sir. Apparently it's not as joyous as it's made out to be."
"Two. Two months babysitting." Lorne muttered as the room burst into laughter.
"I still can't believe you married Lorne." Dr. Cole commented, as she sifted through her wardrobe.
Cole, Jessica, and Cadman had gathered in Cole's room to get ready for the evening. It was the mid year celebration. Atlantis had two big celebrations a year, mid year and end of year. Someone decided even though they were a galaxy away from Earth with multiple cultures to respect they could still throw a party with all the trimmings. The Daedalus brought extra nice food and decorations were put up throughout the Mess hall for dinner. The largest gymnasium was set up for drinks and dancing afterwards.
"Trust me. If I knew what was going on, it wouldn't have happened." Jessica replied.
"There are plenty worse people to marry. Plus, at least you weren't stuck in his head." Cadman shuddered, remembering her experience with McKay, not something she wanted to repeat.
"How about this one?" Cole pulled a blue strapless dress from her wardrobe and held it up to Jessica.
She shook her head in response, "Long sleeves. I like long sleeves." They had had this conversation already when Jessica admitted she didn't have anything to wear. She had used the excuse of getting cold easily.
Emily ran in the door, almost out of breath, "I don't know which one to wear!"
The room burst out laughing as she threw the three dresses down on the bed. Cadman stepped forward, pulling a burgundy dress from the pile. Holding up the sleeveless dress she told Emily to go put it on. Cadman had an eye for dressing people it seemed, the dress fit perfectly, pulling in at the waist and dropping to her knees.
"Now how about Jess wears this one?" Cadman pulled another dress from the pile, handing it to Jessica.
Inspecting the dark blue dress gingerly she stepped into the bathroom to try it on. Surprisingly happy with how it fit, hugging her top half then flaring out from her waist to her knees, long sleeved with a heart neckline.
As she moved back into the room the other woman exclaimed that it was perfect and Jessica felt her face go a little red. Cadman disappeared into the bathroom to get herself ready while Cole finished adding a thick silver belt over her fitted black dress.
"You and your explosions!" Emily laughed as Cadman emerged from the bathroom. Her dress an ombre yellow to red, a sparkling gold belt pulling it in at the waist, letting the rest float around her.
"One sexy ball of fire." Cole added.
Cadman waved them off as she started to curl her hair, "Just because I'm a marine, doesn't mean I don't enjoy dressing up. Especially when it makes a statement."
Jessica finished braiding her hair as she commented, "Oh that's a statement alright."
Before long they were finally all ready and headed off to the mess hall for dinner first, enjoying the quiet chit chat before things livened up in the gymnasium.
Sitting off to the side Jessica observed the festivities. She was mainly only here because her friends had convinced her to come, parties weren't really her thing. Though that wasn't entirely accurate. They used to be her thing. She did love to dress up, she used to be proud of how she looked, instead of ashamed of the marks covering her shoulders and back. Now she covered up and found it difficult to enjoy the celebrations. So she sat awkwardly by herself wondering if she should just call it a night. Before she could make a decision Emily appeared next to her, two wines in hand.
Laughing she shoved one towards Jessica, "Drink. You need to have some fun."
"Oh I can drink. I just don't do parties." Jessica grumbled, taking the drink and downing half of it.
"Well maybe you should get up and dance, or at the very least, talk to people." Emily motioned to the room full of people around them.
Cadman appeared on the other side of her, "I know a certain someone's eyes have barely left you all night..."
"I think you're just imaging things." Jessica laughed it off, despite the fact she immediately started scanning the room, eyes locking with a certain Major on the other side. He casually leaned against the wall in a dark blue shirt and jeans, laughing with a technician. A female technician, Jessica noted, unnerved by the flash of jealousy that flew through her. She tore her eyes away as Cole showed up to drag them to one of the makeshift bars for a refill of their drinks.
Lorne hadn't seen Jessica at dinner but when she walked into the gymnasium he couldn't help but stop and stare. She looked stunning. Her normally straight braid was twisted from one side of her head to the opposite shoulder, light make up accentuated her features and the dress. The dress made his breath catch as it framed her figure perfectly.
While he talked and drunk and turned down multiple inebriated woman's offers for dancing his eyes kept flicking over to her. He briefly wondered if he should go over to her when she was sitting alone before quickly shutting down that idea. He didn't want anything to happen in their altered states. Emily and Cadman soon joined her and he noticed her eyes sweep the room before landing on him.
Struggling to pay attention to the technician talking to him, Lorne held Jessica's gaze, almost willing her to come over to him. The scientist in front of him laughed and he followed the cue to laugh as well, he really had no idea what she'd been saying. Jessica's eyes left his before she disappeared through the crowd. With a small shake of his head Lorne excused himself from the conversation and went to get another drink.
Jessica made it through the rest of the evening with little dancing and lots of drinking. Her head was a little hazy as she half fell into a seat next to Reed, almost falling straight out of it again.
"Woah, easy there." He commented grabbing her arm to steady her.
She laughed, patting his hand, "I'm fine, the chair just came up really fast."
"I'm sure it did..."
Jessica glanced at him sideways, "Why are you so lucid anyway? Are you, like, a chill drunk or something?"
Reed grinned, holding up his glass, "Water. I stopped drinking an hour ago. Best way to avoid a hangover."
"I don't get hangovers." Jessica shrugged.
"Lucky for some." Reed finished his drink and stood up, "I'm off." He raised an eyebrow at Jessica giggling in the chair before asking, "Do you need a hand to your room or something?"
Jessica waved him off, insisting she was fine. With a snort Reed left her to it. Jessica's eyes flicked over the room, once again landing on the Major. In her drunken stupor she briefly wondered what would happen if she went over to him. A tingle immediately ran up her spine and she felt her breath hitch.
Saving her from making a decision a voice slurred beside her, "What are you doing sitting all by yourself?"
She looked over at the pale skinned man beside her, his blue eyes sweeping over her.
"Considering if I want to end my night now or not."
He ran his hand through his short blonde hair before holding out to her, "Why not keep it going and come dance with me then?"
Laughing Jessica shook her head, "I'm flattered but I don't dance and I probably need to end my night."
Without another word she left him sitting there alone. Saying goodnight to Cadman, Emily and Cole she headed off to her room. Soon she heard footsteps running to catch up to her. Surprised she saw the blonde man from before start walking beside her.
He shrugged at her questioning look, "Thought I'd walk you back to your room."
"Well aren't you a gentleman..." She paused, realizing she didn't know his name.
He stopped walking and stuck his hand out, "Corporal Marcus Wright."
"Well, thank you for the company, Corporal." She smiled, shaking his hand.
The conversation flowed easily on the walk to her quarters and Jessica was almost disappointed when they reached her room. She would have liked the talking to continue but she did have a mission tomorrow and didn't want to give him the wrong idea by inviting him in.
Awkwardly she stood outside the door, "Have a good rest of your night, Corporal."
He smiled softly and Jessica realized he had gorgeous dimples just like Major Lorne, "You too Doc. See you 'round."
With a quick wave he was off. Jessica stared as he left, shaking herself out of her daze once he turned the corner. Yawning she opened her door and walked in, collapsing on her bed she was asleep without bothering to undress.
Colonel Sheppard waltzed into the infirmary, a towel held to his forehead.
Jessica gave a little sigh as she motioned to the bed for him to sit, "What have you done now Colonel?"
He shrugged, "Sparring accident."
Grabbing antiseptic she started cleaning the gash above Sheppard's eyebrow, "I'm getting a lot of those today. What have you got going on down there?"
Another shrug, "Extra training. With Ronon."
Jessica huffed, "Well after I've stitched this up you can march back down there and tell him to knock it off."
The door opened and another man walked in, towel held to his cheek. Glancing around he took a seat on a free bed. Jessica gave a pointed look at Sheppard as she finished stitching him up. With a very clear 'no more' she sent him on his way before turning to her next patient.
A smile graced her face, "Corporal Wright. Sparring accident as well?"
The Corporal looked a little sheepish, "Yes ma'am. Extra training never goes astray."
Jessica laughed, "Well apparently you need it. What is this, the third visit this week?"
"Maybe fourth."
Jessica just shook her head in response and finished dealing with the Corporals face. The grin on her face was quickly wiped off by the door opening again. Hands on her hips she spun around as the Corporal quickly escaped the infirmary. One look at Jessica's face had Lorne raising his hands innocently.
"I swear to god..." She started.
"Not injured," He said hurriedly, smiling as she relaxed.
"Good. The amount of people I've had in here today because of sparring accidents and extra training is utterly ridiculous." She vented, cleaning up the supplies.
"I just came to talk. Do you have a minute?"
She hesitated, having a quick glance around the now quiet infirmary, "Alright. I suppose I've got time."
Lorne stepped towards her as she carried on cleaning up, avoiding looking at him, "I've been meaning to talk to you since our last mission. I, ah, wanted to check that you were ok? It was, a little awkward."
Surprising herself she met his eyes confidently and laughed, "You mean the mission where we got married on an alien world? Awkward? Who would have guessed."
"No I meant the other mission..." He replied dryly, knowing they hadn't been on any other mission.
Playfully she slapped his arm without even thinking about it, "Smart ass."
"No hard feelings then?"
She smiled, all too aware of how close they were now standing. Whenever she breathed, she could smell him, his smell mixed with after shave almost overwhelmed her.
"I don't believe there'll be any marital disputes on future missions, Major." The smile stayed on her face as she reverted to his rank and took a step back, trying to distance him.
Sadness flashed across his face briefly before his steady mask dropped back into place. For a moment he thought he was getting somewhere with her.
"Well that's nice to hear. I guess I'll let you get back to it." Without waiting for a reply he turned and walked back out the door.
Jessica dropped into the chair beside the bed she'd been working at. Running a hand over her face she tried to ignore the turmoil inside her. Her body certainly still wanted the Major. She couldn't deny that she was very much physically attracted to him. But her mind generally wanted to stay away, very, very far away. It was logical, not wanting history to repeat itself. Even her mind got confused sometimes though, slipping back into old habits, flirting and playing. She decided she would have to be more careful, remain completely professional. She had to.